Matildas racing the clock in Women’s World Cup preparations

There were some positive signs for the Matildas despite the 5-3 loss to the US in Denver.

Matildas striker Sam Kerr splits open the US defence to get a shot on goal in Commerce City, Colorado. Picture: AFP

There were some positive signs for the Matildas despite the 5-3 loss to the world No 1 team, the US in Denver, Colorado yesterday, but coach Ante Milicic has his work cut out to fix the negatives just 54 days out from the Women’s World Cup finals in France.

Australia’s potent attack with Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Lisa De Vanna leading the way, will trouble many good international sides, as the US found out, but it is no use scoring goals if you’re leaking them at the back.

The Matildas were guilty of being caught out defensively too often, brutally exposed down their left side as well as ball watching, especially in their own penalty area.

That they were on level terms at 1-1 at halftime was probably more by good fortune than good management, as the home side dominated and created a number of chances.

While Australia took a 2-1 lead just after the break, the home side then scored three times in 13 minutes to take control of the friendly.

Of the US’s five goals, three came from the left side, while two were the result of long balls belted down the field on that side. When you have players the calibre of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Mallory Pugh in the opposition you can’t afford to allow them the luxury of gift attacking situations.

It’s all well and good to beat up on inferior opposition, as the Matildas did in the Cup of Nations tournament on home soil recently (accounting for New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina), but against a team like the Americans, you need to be on your game for every minute.

This was the first time the Matildas have conceded five goals in a game since 2012 — coincidentally against the US at the same venue.

The issue now for Milicic, who suffered his first loss since taking over from Alen Stajcic, is that he has little time, and too few games, to sort things out defensively before the finals.

He has the players in camp for another five days in the US before they go to their various club sides so that will help. It is understood Football Federation Australia is in the process of finalising plans for a friendly against a top-rated European nation.

But is it enough? Compare that with the US, who will have games against Belgium (April 8), South Africa (May 13), New Zealand (May 17) and Mexico (May 27).

Milicic is making subtle changes to the way the Matildas play but the risk is he will run out of time to embed his methods for the World Cup.

The positive aspect is that the squad is enthusiastically buying into his football philosophies. And there were signs against the Americans that he is on the right track. They were excellent in transition and a real handful when they got near goal.

Certainly, attack-wise, he has to be delighted. And why wouldn’t he be when the likes of Kerr, Foord and De Vanna continue to step up in the big moments.

Foord, playing as a number 10 instead of her usual role as a striker, was superb yesterday. The 24-year-old looked at ease in the role, which did not restrict her goalscoring attributes either.

She showed her class with a stunning individual effort just after halftime to give Australia a 2-1 lead. Foord showed some superb footwork before beating a defender then charging into the box, body feinting then firing into the bottom corner of the net.

But that only served to stir the Americans into action and their response was quick and deadly.

While Kerr gave Australia a lifeline to make it 4-3, the US ensured they kept their remarkable record against Australia — one loss in 29 games — intact with a goal in injury time.